Best duck breed for me?

[NoisyNora]

So I am new to the whole backyard animal thing, and I must admit I think I am crazy.......BUT now that I have chickens (2 hens, 6 pullets) I want ducks!!!!!!!! I LOVE baking and duck eggs are so much better to bake with here in Colorado (altitude issues). I want 2 hens (no drakes, ducklings are cute but I just want to eggs), and I want QUIET ducks who lay well. I do understand that the two do not necessarily go hand in hand, I am just looking for the best combination of the two. In addition to that I need a very friendly breed as I have an almost 2 year old son. He is very gentle and we are teaching him to be very respectful and gentle with animals, and he loves our chickens. I would like him to be able to go out and sit in the pen with the ducks like he does with our hens. He loves taking them snacks

A breed that doesn't need tons of water would be a plus too

Sorry the list of needs is so long. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

~Nora

 

[Wifezilla]

I think the closest to what you described would be moscovies. They don't lay as well as Welsh Harlequins, Runners or Khaki's, but they are quiet.

 

[NoisyNora]

I still very much want to meet your flock

I am willing to deal with a somewhat noisy duck in exchange for higher egg production.....if it is the right duck

I also figured I should ask for educated opinions on ducks before getting some myself!

 

[Wifezilla]

Hee hee hee. I am waiting for this weather to behave so I can put new straw in the duck pen and trim the grass. It's getting kind of jungle back there!

 

[Cuqui18]

cayugas are also well tempered ducks that are relatively quiet (for a duck!!!) and have a 'docile' temperament, and many people choose them as backyard pets

they can be used for there egg laying abilities (not outstanding, but average, something like 100-150 eggs a year) and meat quality. i know i wont be eating MY duckies when i get them, but just an overview on cayugas! Muscovies are certainly wonderful backyard birds as well

 

[NoisyNora]

Quote:
I was actually strongly considering Cayugas. I am a bit leery of the Mucovies, I have read a bunch of articles that have claimed they are an "invasive species" and are illegal in certain areas...........Ugh......

~Nora

 

[NoisyNora]

Anyone else?

 

[NoisyNora]

*bump*

 

[Bleenie]

If you bake a lot then you may not want to go with Muscovies, but everything else you want in a duck really describes them. My Muscovies all lay pretty well but I know a lot of people had trouble with thiers laying this year.

 

[Eroc1_1]

I would say Welsh Harlequins, Cayugas, or Saxony. That being said, we just got our Welsh Harlequins and Cayugas the beginning of march so they haven't started to lay yet but they are fairly quiet unless they are startled. The Saxony is a breed that I will be getting in June and have heard good things about.